First recorded around 1850 in the UK, the letter opener, or paper knife, was originally used to break the wax seal which held an envelope closed, and early examples resembled small knives, with blunt silver blades and silver or wooden handles. As their popularity grew novelty forms and more interesting styles were created, and today it is these, along with 20th Century design examples from the Arts & Crafts and Mid-Century Modern periods, that are the most sought after.